To Qui-Gon's surprise, the expected impact and pain never came. An angry sound escaped the beast's throat and only seconds later a loud thud was heard as if a heavy object or body had collided with something solid and unbending. He waited for another short moment, before bravely taking a peek. The beast was nowhere to be seen, only when the tall Jedi fully opened his eyes and turned his head right did he spot the beast lying on the ground in a pile of limbs. It was struggling to get up, but otherwise it seemed unharmed. The long haired Jedi silently decided that this fact was a real pity. Even his side that loved all kinds of animals and beings, no matter how dangerous or how they looked, felt disappointed that the thing was unharmed.

Midnight blue eyes turned to look towards Dooku, who was still sitting on the spot where Qui-Gon's Force push had pushed him to. But the older Jedi was not looking in his former Padawan's direction, nor in the beast's, so the long haired male quickly followed his old Master's gaze. He was greeted by the sight of a cloaked figure, which was holding up its arm. From the figure's stature and body the Jedi believed that they were dealing with a man. The man was shorter than both Qui-Gon and Dooku, but his presence was one of authority and demanded respect. Further was he wearing a strange mask which looked like a deformed human skull. His eyes were hidden in the darkness that surrounded the man, who could have revealed himself more if he would just take one step forward, into the light. But the figure remained where it stood, arm still outstretched, but it was starting to tremble. At least that much could Qui-Gon make out. Only now did he realise that the man or whoever that cloaked being was, was holding the beast down with the help of the Force. So he and Dooku were dealing with a Force user. The question was, was he a light side user or did he come from the depths of the dark side. Deciding that this was of little importance for now, Qui-Gon struggled back to his shaking legs and he saw Dooku doing the same. Both former Master and Padawan gazed into each other's eyes. They did not need their old training bond to know what the other was sinking. As one they moved towards the dark clad figure, guessing that it was far safer to stay near him for now. At least the man could tame the beast somewhat. He barely glanced at the two Jedi before focusing back on the monstrosity in front of them. It meant that he was not their enemy, or that monster had the higher priority for now.

"What in the name of the Force is that?" Dooku spoke up, turning his eyes towards the man, whose face had yet to be revealed.

The unknown man hummed and did not allow his gaze to leave the creature that was slowly getting to its paws again. "A monster created by the darkness," and why did this accented voice sound so familiar to the long haired Jedi's ears?

"That is impossible," commented the old Jedi arrogantly and somehow Qui-Gon got the feeling that their friend was raising one of his eyebrows. At least the tall Jedi guessed that he and his old Master were dealing with a human male, who therefore was in possession of said eyebrows.

"The rift between light and darkness is not as big as the Jedi want to believe," the man explained with an emotionless tone and started to walk towards the creature. Its eyes settled on him and its jaw was wide open, baring sharp teeth.

"What would you know of this, boy?" Dooku was clearly not amused by this whole situation.

The hooded figure raised his arm and the Force began to swirl around him and then around the beast as well, stopping it from executing the jump attack it had prepared. The being roared in anger and threw his head around. It was struggling against an invisible grip.

"I know, because I once was a Jedi," the man finally answered and it was then that all warning bells in Qui-Gon's head started to ring loudly.

"Who are you?" the long haired Jedi wanted to know.

"Don't you recognize me, Master?" the hooded figure said and tilted his head as if to look at the tall Jedi standing next to him. Every answer that laid on Qui-Gon's tongue was silenced when the man's fingers started to twitch and slowly closed into a fist. The dark being screamed in pain and fear equally and the two Jedi watched in a mixture of horror and awe when the monster began to shrink and its dark presence began to creep towards the hooded figure. It moved up the man's legs, followed by his hips, towards his outstretched arm and finally into his palm that only completely closed into a fist, when the last bit of the dark presence had moved there.

To the surprise of the Jedi, the darkness completely vanished then, alongside the beast, its last roar echoing in the silent night. No darkness remained behind, only light and warmth could be felt in the Force that surrounded the two Jedi and the still unknown man. The cloaked figure shuddered and stretched his body and only then dared Qui-Gon to move as well.

Dooku moved a little bit faster than his former Padawan – despite his age – and therefore reached the man first. The elder Jedi immediately reached out, but the hooded body fluidly dodged the other's attempt to grab his elbow.

"Do not touch me," the accented voice said and there was an icy tone in it. Qui-Gon had heard this particular tone before, a few years ago in a strange room on Naboo, with a dead Sith apprentice lying not too far away from him. It suddenly hit him full force. "Obi-Wan," the long haired man breathed out, which earned him a quick disapproving look from the white haired Jedi Master.

A chuckle escaped the disguised man and he slowly reached up to pull finally pull the blasted hood down. Revealed was a young face with blue-green eyes, whose light and brightness was emphasized by the reddish beard he was sporting. A long braid rested in the man's chest, the rest of his relatively short hair had long since outgrown the Padawan hairstyle.

"Hello Master Jinn, it has been a while," and Qui-Gon was reminded of Xanatos, who had said similar words to him once.

"Indeed," the stunned Jedi nodded and then he let the Force wander towards the ginger haired male, who looked amused at the tall man, but allowed the procedure nevertheless. To the Master's surprise, there was not even the tiniest bit, the smallest hint of darkness. He couldn't quite believe it, not with the memories of their last encounter still fresh in his mind. "You look... different." It was a lame start, but Qui-Gon could not think of much else to say.

"Not too different, I hope," there was that trademark smile and those lovable bright eyes again. Something stirred in the Jedi's chest at that sight and it felt suspiciously like hope and affection.

"I hope so as well," Qui-Gon answered without really thinking.

Dooku remained silent, but his hand rested in his lightsaber and his cold eyes followed Obi-Wan, when the younger male took a generous step towards his former Master. "I..." stormy grey-green eyes looked anywhere but at one of the Jedi Masters' faces, "I'm sorry Master. I know I do not deserve your forgiveness, I just want you to know that it was never my intention to hurt you... in any way."

The tall Jedi swallowed hard. He too took a step forwards. "Tell me what really happened, there on Naboo."

Obi-Wan nodded and his form was hunched in something that looked suspiciously like misery. Qui-Gon had to force himself to not reach out and comfort the man that used to be his pride and love. The ginger haired man's eyes looked up and had found the midnight blue orbs of his former Master.

"As I already mentioned," began the lost Padawan, "the rift between dark and light is growing smaller and smaller. Lines and borders begin to blur and where the wall are weak, something can break through. It is mostly the dark side that invades the light... and it sometimes brings creatures like these," he vaguely gestured where that strange being had been a few moments prior. He did not need to say more than this. Qui-Gon had already made the connection himself.

"When we fought that Sith-" Obi-Wan cut in, "Darth Maul, his name was Darth Maul."

"Right. When we fought Darth Maul on Naboo... the dam somehow broke and a dark presence entered... well, entered you. You the brightest presence it could find."

Obi-Wan bowed his head. "I won't ask you to forgive me for not being stronger, for not being able to resist. I shamed you and your training Master Jinn." There was that dreaded manner of speech again, but at least Qui-Gon now KNEW that this was indeed HIS Obi-Wan standing before them. Only his Padawan would speak like this, would blame himself like this and there was no one in the whole galaxy who could pretend to be like this. The Jedi mentally shook his head. It was hard to explain what he meant but it was still HIS Padawan standing before him now and the humming of the Force confirmed it.

"How did you free yourself?" Dooku finally interfered in the conversation.

Obi-Wan send a quick, slightly disapproving glance towards him, "I do not know how it happened. A few days I was... forced... to watch my body act like the presence wanted it to act. Its influence on me grew weaker the more time passed until it just... disappeared on day. I can't explain it differently," the last part was hastily added and stormy eyes pleaded for Qui-Gon to believe him.

"What a bunch of utter nonsen-" Dooku was cut off by Qui-Gon, who finally had fully approached the ginger haired man before him and pulled his lost Padawan into a tight hug. Obi-Wan was too confused to react, but that did not seem to bother the long haired male.

"I always knew that it was not you talking back to me then... I always knew that you were still somewhere in there, Padawan."

"Master," the younger male's voice sounded desperate and as if he was holding back sobs.

"Qui-Gon," Dooku's warning tone barely reached the tall Jedi's ears. He was too focused on the young male he held in his arms, who slowly lifted his arms to engulf the man, who was holding him close.

"Welcome back, my Padawan... my son," he couldn't stop the happy tears from escaping his eyes, but he did not let himself be bothered by it. He simply closed his eyes and hid his face in ginger locks. He had absolutely no idea how his Padawan had overcome the darkness. Perhaps it had simply not endured the light in Obi-Wan. Maybe something happened to it that was similar to how Obi-Wan had defeated the monster. Qui-Gon had felt how his former Padawan had wrapped his own light around the darkness in his palm and how the shadows had battled against the light, but finally lost. And wasn't it one of the old Jedi sayings that the darkness could only be destroyed by pure light?

"I missed you," was quietly mumbled against the taller male's chest, but the Jedi Master caught it nevertheless.

"And I you, my little one." Eventually he pulled away and looked into glittering blue-green eyes. "And now that I have you back, I will not let you go again, my brave Jedi."

Something in the other's eyes flashed, "Am I really? A Jedi I mean."

"Of course," Qui-Gon immediately replied. Dooku fixated the two males with a disbelieving glance.

"What of the Council? They-" but he was interrupted by the taller Jedi, who now held the younger man's head between his large hands, "Have you forgotten that I do not care about the Council's decision and opinion? You are more important to me than this."

Obi-Wan closed his eyes, not able to bear the intensity of his Master's gaze anymore. "What if they deny me?" he asked his question.

"Then it they lose not only one of the best Jedi this galaxy has ever seen, but they will lose me as well," Qui-Gon answered with determination in his voice. He did not notice the disapproving stare he received from Dooku. Even if he had, Qui-Gon would probably have ignored it.

"You can't do that," blue-green eyes widened in shock at the older man's words and he tried to distance himself from Qui-Gon, but the Jedi would not let him escape.

"I would, because you are my first priority."

"What of Anakin?" Obi-Wan's eyes flickered to Dooku as if he wanted to beg the other male for help and assistance, but Dooku remained silent.

"I am not Anakin's Master... Mace Windu has taken Anakin after I told the Council that I would not abandon you."

Tears started to form in blue-green eyes again, but the ginger haired man willed himself not to cry. "Don't throw away who you are for me, Qui-Gon Jinn. I am simply a man, following the path the Force has sent him on and... and being a lost Jedi is not your path. Listen to the Force and you will know this to be true. Don't make the mistake to ignore what the Force has planned for you, for my sake. We both would not be happy then."

The words – no matter their truth – hurt and Qui-Gon wished that they were not true. His Padawan had grown into a wise and brave man, he could see that with one glance at him. The Force had guided his Padawan and it had never abandoned him. It had sent him on a darker path instead, a path from which the younger male had fought through. With a reluctant sigh, the long haired man nodded. He knew that the Force would want for him to remain a Jedi and he would not disappoint himself, let alone this bright man before him, for making such an emotional and rash decision. They were all Jedi here and as such they had to follow the will of the Force, no matter how they destroyed themselves because of it.


I am sorry it took me so long to update. This chapter simply did not want to be written. I am still not really happy with it, but well...

I hope you enjoyed it at least a little bit and I would really appreciate it, if you take a few seconds and left a comment behind! ^^ Thanks to all those, who already have! :)